Pre-Columbian, Northern Peru, Moche III to Moche IV, ca. 450 to 650 CE. A handsome mold-made stirrup vessel representing a seated male figure. Delineated with portrait-like verism, his visage presents wide open eyes that appear to be engaged in a somber trance, crows feet radiating from the outer corners of his eyes, wrinkles on his cheeks, a naturalistic nose, and pursed lips - all topped by a wide headband. He also wears an impressive tunic tied around his neck with a handsome geometric border. Notice that this gentleman's pose and gestures are quite natural - seated with a rounded back, his left hand holding his tunic, his right hand placed upon his chest, and his legs folded with crossed feet visible below the hem of his tunic. Size: 6.25" L x 4.625" W x 8" H (15.9 cm x 11.7 cm x 20.3 cm)
This piece most likely features a portrait of an important member of Moche society. It is possible - even probable - that there are portraits of him as a young man on other vessels, as we know of several examples of Moche portrait vessels portraying the same individual at different stages of life! Vessels like this one were traded as emblems of authority around the Moche world before being buried as grave goods; others are also known from domestic contexts, and wear on examples found in graves indicates that they were used every day for cooking and drinking before being buried with the dead. Imagine a vessel like this one being used at a feast, displaying a relationship with the person depicted.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection
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#148460
Condition
Professionally repaired from about a half dozen pieces with restoration over the break lines. So well done that this is difficult to discern.